2025 ASC Awards Weekend Rewind

All event images courtesy of Moloshok Photography

Held on the evening of Friday, Feb. 21, under under a tent constructed over the courtyard in front of the ASC Clubhouse, and made possible by Panavision, the Nominees Dinner has become a much-loved tradition among Society members and guests. It's a celebration of all those nominated, giving each in attendance the opportunity to speak at the podium and give thanks to all who helped get them there.

This year, one of the first nominees to take the podium was Scott Cunningham, ASC, who struck a chord with his heartfelt words of gratitude to his wife for all of her support in helping him forge a successful career. This opened a floodgate of praise from those who followed, celebrating the spouses and partners who are essential to the teamwork that makes a cinematographer's dream work.

Here is a selection of further photos from the night, which featured live music and an exceptional dinner.

And below are the ASC Award nominees taking the stage and posing together in solidarity. As one nominee noted, “Being recognized by your peers for an award such as this is winning unto itself.“

More photos from this event can be seen and downloaded here.

On the morning of Saturday, Feb. 22, the Clubhouse was again the place to be as Sony sponsored an informal brunch event to pay tribute to this year‘s ASC Awards honorees — individuals recognized for outstanding career achievements.

This year, the ASC’s honorees are Kathleen Kennedy, receiving the Board of Governors Award; Andrzej Bartkowiak, ASC, bestowed the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award; Michael Goi, ASC, ISC, given the Career Achievement in Television Award; John Simmons, ASC, presented with the Presidents Award, Joan Churchill, ASC, given the inaugural Lifetime Documentary Award, and Pete Romano, ASC, who received the Curtis Clark Technology Award.

The event also created the opportunity for two more Awards nominees to join the festivities after missing the previous night's dinner:

Inside the Clubhouse, an array of cameras from the ASC Museum collection was set up for inspection, prompting discussion about days gone by while also creating opportunity for new connections:

Here are some additional shots from the event:

Many more photos from this event can be seen and downloaded here.

The big night took place on Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, following months of preparation and anticipation for all involved. Traditionally, one of the most popular parts of the ASC Awards is the extended cocktail hour immediately preceding the dinner and presentation ceremony, primarily as it allows family and friends, past colleagues, sponsors and supporters, revered peers and respected collaborators to come together. The ASC Awards is often the one time each year that some may see another:

You’ll find many more photos from this event here.

Following months of careful prep, the ballroom doors were finally opened and attendees welcomed to take their seats for dinner, welcomed by the night's host, actor Ed Helms, returning from the previous year's ceremony:

During his witty opening monologue, Helms at one point singled out a key member of the ASC staff for special praise: chief operations officer Alex Lopez. It was him who, on the evening of Jan. 9, as a blaze that became known as the Sunset Fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills, not far from the ASC Clubhouse, rushed to the historic building to be certain that everything possible could be done to protect it.

Armed with just a garden hose, Lopez doused the storied structure's roof and grounds to prevent flying embers being kicked up by the nearby inferno from creating even more chaos. Hearing this tale, the audience erupted in a standing ovation.

In some ways, this story was a brief moment of catharsis for many in the crowd who had endured the tension of not knowing if their home had been destroyed by the multiple fires that broke out that same night. And, for far too many, it ended with the eventual news that they had lost their homes. (Partnered with the Motion Picture and Television Fund, the ASC Relief Fund is still collecting donations to help Society members, staff and crews from the Locals 600, 728 and 80. affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.)

The ceremony then began with opening remarks from Johnson and Minsky:

They welcomed all to this evening, which was also a celebration of widescreen cinema — a theme built into the show’s striking opening reel, cut by Benjamin Mehr.

As the night progressed, the winners and honorees took the stage (a minute-by-minute account can be found here), and the ceremony offered plenty of emotion and surprises.

Edward Lachman, ASC earned the Theatrical Feature Film award for Maria — his first ASC Award after five nominations. Jomo Fray won in the Spotlight Award category for Nickel Boys. Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw won the ASC prize for a second time, with their documentary Gaucho Gaucho. Winners in the television categories included Robert Elswit, ASC for Ripley, Sam McCurdy, ASC, BSC for Shōgun, and Richard Rutkowski, ASC for Sugar. In the Music Video category, Pepe Avila del Pino, AMC received the ASC Award for “313.”

Here's the night's story in pictures:

The Curtis Clark ASC Technology Award — sponsored by Picture Shop — was then presented to Pete Romano, ASC for his contributions to underwater cinematography, both as an inventor and a director of photography, given to him by his former camera assistant, current collaborator, and friend, Cynthia Pusheck, ASC.

Next up was the Spotlight Award — sponsored by Panavision — which brings to light smaller feature projects that deserve attention.

Joan Churchill, ASC was then presented with the inaugural Lifetime Documentary Award for her outstanding body of non-fiction work.

Next up was the Documentary Award — sponsored by Canon — presented by ASC members Ava Berkofsky (left) and Shana Hagan, who have both worked extensively in the non-fiction realm.

John Simmons, ASC was then honored with the Presidents Award, not only for his outstanding career behind the camera, but for his long history of leadership in the Society and his role as a mentor for countless filmmakers.

Richard Crudo, ASC then announced the winner of the Bud Stone Award — which is a complete surprise for the honoree.

"Each year since 2011, the Bud Stone Award has been bestowed upon ASC associate members who've performed extraordinary service to the organization,” Crudo explained. “I can't recall a better embodiment of that ethic than whom you'll meet in a moment. No matter what the situation, she's been the lady of "Yes!" "Hey, can you... "Yes!" "Would you please..." "Yes!" "Could you speak to..." "Yes!" Though she did draw the line once when Patty asked her to change the flat tire on her pick-up truck.

“But you get it. This woman has personified the ASC's motto of loyalty, progress and artistry — not just with lip service, but to the furthest degree possible. No matter what life throws at her, her sunny disposition has always made her a pleasure to spend time with, and — in addition to forging a rich and successful career — she has somehow managed to raise a fabulous family.”

And the surprise honoree this year was Suzanne Lezzotte.

Next up was the ASC’s Music Video Award — a new category launched last year and sponsored by Red Digital Cinema. The presenters are songwriter Sofia Isella and her father, Claudio Miranda, ASC.

Producer and studio executive Kathleen Kennedy then accepted the ASC’s Board of Governors Award for her long career of making exceptional motion pictures and television.

The next category was for the Episode of a One-Hour Regular Series Award.

Presenter Michael Douglas then took the stage to introduce Andrzej Bartkowiak, ASC — our 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree for his exceptional career.

Finally, it was time for the final category for the evening: Theatrical Feature Release, sponsored by Keslow Camera.

With that, the 39th Annual ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography was over — and the Society’s members and staff will soon start prepping for 2026, to make our 40th anniversary edition even more memorable.

A recording of our livestream of the ceremony will be available soon. You’ll find many more photos from the event here.

You can also browse through the night's official program book below: